RME Fireface UFX III - 188-Channel, 24-Bit/192kHz USB 3 Audio Interface

The Fireface UFX III is RME's multichannel flagship, a full 1U rackmount interface capable of handling up to 94 channels of I/O simultaneously, built around newly developed analog and digital boards. It combines an extensive analog I/O set, MADI connectivity, dual ADAT, AES/EBU, word clock, standalone operation, and direct USB multitrack recording into a single unit that can serve as the complete centre of a professional studio or live rig.

Build and Format

The UFX III occupies a single rack unit and ships with rack ears fitted. The rear panel carries eight balanced TRS line inputs and outputs, dual ADAT optical I/O, AES/EBU, SPDIF, optical MADI, BNC word clock/coaxial MADI, and a second MIDI I/O. The front panel houses four XLR/TRS combo inputs, two headphone outputs, MIDI I/O, a full colour display with front-panel controls, and the DURec USB port.

Audio Performance

The UFX III uses newly developed AD and DA converters with improved THD+N figures. The eight rear line inputs achieve an SNR of 116 dB (AES17), with THD below -120 dB. The four front mic preamps reach an EIN of -129.8 dBu (A-weighted). The dedicated XLR stereo monitor outputs offer an additional +24 dBu output level mode for high-headroom mastering monitor systems. Both headphone outputs deliver up to 200 mW per channel into 32 Ohm.

Preamps and Inputs

The four front-panel XLR/TRS combo inputs support microphone, line, and instrument operation. The mic preamps offer a 75 dB gain range with individual 48V phantom power. Instrument inputs present a 1 MOhm impedance for direct guitar and bass connection. The eight rear balanced TRS line inputs have switchable sensitivity between Lo Gain (+19 dBu) and +4 dBu, with an additional 0-12 dB variable digital gain stage.

MADI - 64 Channels Over a Single Cable

The UFX III includes a full optical MADI interface via SC duplex connector, carrying up to 64 bidirectional channels at 48 kHz over a single cable. The BNC word clock connector doubles as a coaxial MADI I/O, and a split mode allows both optical and coaxial MADI to operate simultaneously at 32 channels each.

SteadyClock FS

The UFX III incorporates RME's full SteadyClock FS circuit with jitter suppression exceeding 50 dB across all clock sources, including word clock BNC with switchable 75 Ohm termination and automatic Double/Quad Speed detection.

USB 3 and Class Compliant Mode

The UFX III is RME's first interface to support full USB 3.0 bandwidth in Class Compliant mode, making all 94 channels available without proprietary drivers on Mac, Linux, and iPadOS. An iPad Pro with USB-C can run TotalMix FX for iPad with up to 94 channels of recording and playback.

Standalone Operation and DURec

The UFX III operates fully without a computer, with all settings accessible from the front panel. The DURec function records directly to a USB drive connected to the front panel, up to 80 channels simultaneously and to drives up to 2 TB, entirely independently of any connected computer.

TotalMix FX

TotalMix FX runs on the UFX III's own internal DSP, providing fully flexible routing of all channels to all outputs with per-channel EQ including 9-band Room EQ, dynamics, reverb, and delay. TotalMix Remote extends control wirelessly via Wi-Fi, and the optional ARC USB hardware remote adds 15 assignable illuminated buttons and an encoder for hands-on physical control.

DC-Coupled Outputs

All line outputs are fully DC-coupled, allowing the UFX III to send CV and Gate signals directly to Eurorack and other modular synthesizer formats from any DAW without additional hardware.

Key Features

• 188-channel, 24-bit/192 kHz USB 3.0 interface, 1U rackmount
• 4 x XLR/TRS combo preamps, EIN -129.8 dBu, 75 dB gain range, 48V phantom
• 8 x Balanced rear line inputs, SNR 116 dB (AES17)
• Dedicated XLR stereo monitor outputs, up to +24 dBu output level
• 2 x Headphone outputs, 200 mW @ 32 Ohm
• MADI optical + coaxial I/O, up to 64 channels per connection
• Dual ADAT optical I/O + AES/EBU + SPDIF + word clock BNC
• SteadyClock FS, jitter suppression > 50 dB across all clock sources
• Full USB 3.0 Class Compliant mode, 94 channels, no drivers needed
• Standalone operation with front-panel control
• DURec, up to 80 channels direct to USB drive, no computer required
• DC-coupled outputs for CV/Gate modular synthesis
• TotalMix FX with 9-band Room EQ, dynamics, reverb, delay
• ARC USB hardware remote compatible (sold separately)
• RME in-house drivers, regularly updated with long-term OS support

AD — Line Inputs 1–8 (Rear)

• Input: 6.3 mm TRS jack, electronically balanced
• Input impedance @ 1 kHz: 10 kΩ unbalanced / 10.6 kΩ balanced
• SNR @ Lo Gain: 116 dB (AES17), 118 dBA
• SNR @ +4 dBu: 115 dB (AES17), 117 dBA
• THD @ -1 dBFS: < -120 dB / < 0.0001%
• THD+N @ -1 dBFS: < -110 dB / < 0.00032%
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Maximum input level: +19 dBu
• Input sensitivity: switchable Lo Gain (+19 dBu) / +4 dBu (+13 dBu)
• Variable digital gain: 0 to +12 dB
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz: 8.9 Hz – 20.4 kHz (-0.1 dB)
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz: 4.3 Hz – 45.2 kHz (-0.5 dB)
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz: 3 Hz – 89 kHz (-1 dB)
• Filter: Short Delay Sharp, 5/5/6 samples delay

AD — Microphone Inputs 9–12 (Front)

• Input: XLR, electronically balanced
• Input impedance @ 1 kHz: 3.4 kΩ
• SNR @ 0 dB Gain: 117 dB (AES17), 119.5 dBA
• THD+N @ -1 dBFS, Gain 20 dB: < -110 dB / < 0.00032%
• EIN @ 60 dB Gain, 150 Ω, A-weighted: -129.8 dBu
• Gain range: 75 dB
• Max input level (Gain 0 dB): +18 dBu
• Max input level (Gain 75 dB): -57 dBu
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz: 10.7 Hz – 20.3 kHz (-0.1 dB)
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz: 5.1 Hz – 45.0 kHz (-0.5 dB)
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz: 3.5 Hz – 88 kHz (-1 dB)

AD — Instrument Inputs 9–12 (Front)

• Input: 6.3 mm TS jack, unbalanced
• Input impedance @ 1 kHz: 1 MΩ
• SNR: 116 dB (AES17), 118.5 dBA
• THD+N @ -1 dBFS, Gain 20 dB: < -107 dB / < 0.00045%
• Gain range: 42 dB
• Max input level (Gain 8 dB): +21 dBu
• Max input level (Gain 50 dB): -21 dBu
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz: 2.4 Hz – 20.0 kHz (-0.5 dB)
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz: 1.6 Hz – 28 kHz (-1 dB)
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz: 0.8 Hz – 54 kHz (-3 dB)

DA — Line Outputs 3–8 (Rear)

• Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, servo-balanced
• Output impedance: 75 Ω
• SNR @ Hi Gain: 116.5 dB (AES17), 118.5 dBA
• SNR @ +4 dBu: 116 dB (AES17), 118 dBA
• SNR @ -10 dBV: 107 dB (AES17), 109 dBA
• THD+N: < -110 dB / < 0.00032%
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Output level: switchable Hi Gain (+19 dBu) / +4 dBu (+13 dBu) / -10 dBV (+2 dBV)
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz: 0 Hz – 20.2 kHz (-0.1 dB)
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz: 0 Hz – 44.6 kHz (-0.5 dB)
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz: 0 Hz – 77.5 kHz (-1 dB)

DA — Stereo Monitor Outputs 1–2 (Rear, XLR)

• Output: XLR, balanced
• Output impedance: 150 Ω
• Output level: switchable +24 dBu / Hi Gain (+19 dBu) / +4 dBu (+13 dBu) / -10 dBV (+2 dBV)

DA — Headphone Outputs 9–12 (Front)

• Output: 2 × 6.3 mm TRS jack, unbalanced
• Output impedance: 2 Ω
• Max output level @ 0 dBFS (High): +19 dBu
• Max output level @ 0 dBFS (Low): +2 dBV
• Max power per channel @ 32 Ω, 0.02% THD: 200 mW
• SNR @ High: 116.5 dB (AES17), 118.5 dBA
• SNR @ Low: 115 dB (AES17), 117 dBA

MIDI

• 2 × MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks
• Galvanically isolated via optocoupled input
• Hi-speed mode: jitter and response time typically below 1 ms
• Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output
• 2 × MIDI I/O via MADI (embedded in user bits, up to 96 kHz)

Digital — Clocking

• Clock sources: Internal, ADAT, AES, SPDIF, word clock
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)
• Effective clock jitter influence on AD/DA conversion: near zero
• PLL ensures zero dropout at up to 100 ns jitter
• Supported sample rates: 28 kHz – 200 kHz

Digital Inputs — MADI

• Optical: FDDI duplex SC connector (62.5/125 and 50/125 compatible)
• Coaxial: BNC, 75 Ω (shared with word clock input)
• Standard: up to 64 channels, 24-bit, 48 kHz
• S/MUX: up to 32 channels, 24-bit, 96 kHz
• S/MUX4: up to 16 channels, 24-bit, 192 kHz
• Accepts 56 and 64 channel mode + 96k Frame
• Lock range: 25 kHz – 54 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)

Digital Inputs — AES/EBU

• 1 × XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated (AES3-1992)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)

Digital Inputs — ADAT Optical

• 2 × TOSLINK
• Standard: 2 × 8 channels, 24-bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 2 × 4 channels, 24-bit, 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 × 2 channels, 24-bit, 192 kHz
• Lock range: 31.5 kHz – 50 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)

Digital Inputs — SPDIF Optical (via ADAT 2)

• 2 × optical (IEC 60958)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)

Digital Inputs — Word Clock

• BNC, internal termination 75 Ω (switchable)
• Level range: 1.0 Vpp – 5.6 Vpp
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)
• Overvoltage protection

Digital Outputs — MADI

• Optical: FDDI duplex SC connector (62.5/125 and 50/125 compatible)
• Coaxial: BNC, 75 Ω (shared with word clock output)
• Standard: up to 64 channels, 24-bit, 48 kHz
• S/MUX: up to 32 channels, 24-bit, 96 kHz
• S/MUX4: up to 16 channels, 24-bit, 192 kHz

Digital Outputs — AES/EBU

• XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated (AES3-1992)
• Output level: Professional 4.5 Vpp / Consumer 2.6 Vpp
• Sample rate: 28 kHz – 200 kHz

Digital Outputs — ADAT

• 2 × TOSLINK
• Standard: 2 × 8 channels, 24-bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 2 × 4 channels, 24-bit, 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 × 2 channels, 24-bit, 192 kHz

Digital Outputs — SPDIF Optical (via ADAT 2)

• 2 × optical (IEC 60958)
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)

Digital Outputs — Word Clock

• BNC
• Max output voltage: 5 Vpp / 4.0 Vpp @ 75 Ω termination
• Output impedance: 10 Ω
• Frequency range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz

General

• Power supply: Internal switching PSU, 100–240 V AC
• Idle power consumption: 19 W
• Typical power consumption: 22–25 W
• Dimensions with rack ears (W × H × D): 483 × 44 × 210 mm (19" × 1.73" × 8.5")
• Dimensions without rack ears (W × H × D): 440 × 44 × 210 mm (17.3" × 1.73" × 8.3")
• Total depth: 240 mm (9.4")
• Weight: 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
• Operating temperature: +5°C to +50°C (41°F to 122°F)
• Relative humidity: < 75%, non-condensing

Digital Downloads (buying software)

All software marked as "serial download" or "digital download" will be delivered via email within normal office hours.

Simply add the software to the basket and at the delivery stage in the checkout please select "Digital Download - Software by email" as your delivery method

Delivery Charges (Main Products)

The cutoff for same-day dispatch is 3:30pm but can vary at busier times such as Christmas.

All orders over £99.00 will be delivered free via our standard delivery 2-3 days (UK Mainland)

If you need your item faster we also offer a Priority Tracked service at £3.99 (1-2 days) or Next Day Tracked £6.99

(please ensure you add a mobile number to your order for tracking)

Saturday delivery is available when ordered before 2pm (Mon-Fri)

All orders below £99.00 will start as low as £2.99 depending upon weight and qty(s) (UK Mainland) 

All Delivery options will be available at the delivery stage in the checkout

EU Delivery Times

Non UK Mainland Addresses please allow 1-3 Days
Delivery To Belgium / France / Germany please allow 3-4 Days
Music PC Systems - Please allow 5-7 Working Days build time (UK) 7-14 (Rest of the World)

French - Pour la Livraison s'il vous plaît permet en France 2-4 Jours
German - Für Lieferung Nach Deutschland erlaubt bitte 2-4 Tage

Delivery Notes
On delivery, you must inspect the goods carefully for damage as Inta Audio is unable to accept responsibility for damage in transit, shortage of delivery or loss of products unless the customer advises Inta Audio of such within three working days from the date of delivery.

Returns Policy

We ask that you follow these guidelines to help us process your return as quickly and efficiently as possible:

1. Please keep your order reference to hand. This confirms your original order and gives us the necessary details to authorise the product’s return.

2. Contact our Customer Services Team on 02476 369898 (or e-mail cs@inta-audio.com). We will then send you an RMA number and returns form which needs to be completed and sent back with the returned item(s).

3. (If the order has been unpacked) re-package it to ensure that it is being returned in its original condition. Please make sure all items relating to the product are returned, including manuals and cables.

4. When returning an item please obtain a ‘proof of postage’ receipt from the Courier.


Returned items must be mailed within 10 days of when the RMA Number has been issued. Items received with a post date 30 days after your requested return will NOT be eligible for refund.

Please note: Our returns policy is quite straightforward but there are a number of conditions that we ask our customers to comply with before applying:

1. It is your responsibility to request a return. If you don’t tell us you want to make a return, we don’t know. Once you do tell us, we will do everything we can to action it.

2. If you have not requested a return within 28 days of receiving an order, we will have assumed that you are intending to keep it and we will not authorise a return.

3. We always refund the payment according to how the original purchase was made and aim to do so within 72hrs of the return being received by us.

4. Returned goods are liable for a restocking fee of 15% towards handling and repackaging if the order is not returned in its original, unopened packaging. This charge will be subject to our inspection of the returned goods.

5. Delivery charges will not be refunded unless the delivered goods are faulty.

6. Replacement products are dispatched immediately after the returned goods have been received and accepted by Inta Audio.

7. Items that develop a fault within 30 days of delivery are eligible for a replacement or a refund. Delivery costs are also reimbursed for faulty items. Please contact our Customer Services Team on 02476 369898 if you believe your item has developed a fault.

Finally, please remember that notifying us of your intention to apply for a return, saving the delivery paperwork and keeping the order in its original packaging will help both you and Inta Audio to process the return quickly.

If you have any questions about our Returns policy please telephone us on 02476 369898 or email us at cs@inta-audio.com.